Missile projector



March 14, 1961 J. E. MARTIN MISSILE PROJECTOR Filed July 10. 1959 INVENTOR ATTORNEY MTSSILE PROJECTOR James E. Martin, 415 Lyle Ave., East Point, Ga.

Filed July 10, E59, Ser. No. 826,380

8 Claims. (Cl. 272-8) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The invention relates to missile projectors and more particularly to the so-called booby trap type of projector. The invention is also usable as a projector of toy missiles wherein it operates in a manner suggesting a modernized jack-in-the-box. When used as a military missile projector, it is capable of projecting a small explosive missile such as a hand grenade.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved missile projector of the class described.

A further object is to provide an improved missile projector which simulates the cage of a small living creature and which conceals the missile while exposing a simulated appendage or the like of a small living creature.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention, the structure of the several elements of the same, combinations and subcombinations of such elements, with each other and/or a missile, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing in connection with the following specification wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of one species of the invention, the lid being shown in the closed position;

Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 showing the lid approaching the open position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on a slightly larger scale than Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 of a modification.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts in all views and referring at first to the species of Figures 13, designates generally any suitable container such as a rectangular box having side walls 11, end walls 12, a floor 13 and a top wall divided into wall portions 14 and 15. A vertical partition 16 divides container 10 into compartments 1% and 1'9. Partition 16 is formed with a restricted opening or door 17. Preferably, the top wall portion 14 is either formed of transparent material or, as illus trated, is formed with an opening therethrough which is covered by reticulated fabric 29 whereby to expose to view the interior of compartment 18.

The wall portion is opaque and comprises a lid which is hingedly secured to the container 10 by any suitable hinges 21 for swinging movement from the closed iatented Mar. 14, 1961 Zen position of Figure 1 through an arc of substantially to the open position illustrated in broken lines in Figure 3. Any suitable spring means, such as the rubber bands 22, are secured by any suitable means, such as the tacks or nails 23, to the side edges of the top wall portion 14 and lid 15'. 7, With the lid 15 in the closed position, the same is just on or slightly over dead center so that but a slight lifting of the free edge of the lid will free it for movement under the load of the springs 22 to the open position.

Inside the container 10 is a missile 24 which in this species comprises a rubber ball having an eye screw 25 projecting therefrom which is readily releasably connected to the underside of the lid 15 by any suitable means such as the cup hook 26. The missile 24 has an appendage 27 secured thereto in any suitable manner as by gluing. Such appendage simulates the appendage or the like of a small living creature. As illustrated, the appendage 27 comprises a fur piece and simulates the tail of a small animal. A terminal portion or tip 28 projects through the opening 17 in the partition 16 into the compartment 18 and thereby prevents the viewer from seeing into the compartment 19. The illusion of a small animal may be heightened by placing in the compartment 18 a feeding dish or partially eaten scrap of food 29, Figure 3.

In practice, this species of the invention may be suitably inscribed to suggest that it contains a swift animal such as a mongoose. Then, when enough viewers have gathered around to view the captive, the operator unobtrusively lifts the lid 15 sufficiently over center whereby the springs quickly flip the lid 15 to the open position at which time the missile 24 and its appendage 25 are projected substantially horizontally, drop to the floor and bounce around. This action happens so fast that viewers are at first unable to identify the missile and actually believe they have seen the swift exit of a live animal from the container.

In the species of Figure 4, the same principle is applied to launch an explosive missile. Here the container 30 includes the usual side and end walls 31 and 32 together with a floor 33. As before it is provided with a transparent top Wall portion 34 and an opaque top Wall portion 35 comprising a lid. A partition 36 formed with a door 37, divides the container 30 into compartments 38, 39. Hinge means 41 hingedly mount the lid 35 for 180 swinging movement as in the first species. Preferably, any suitable latch means 40 are provided to secure the lid 35 in the closed position. Spring means 42 urge the lid 35 to the open position and are secured to the edges of the top wall portions 34, 35 by suitable securing means 43. Such spring means42 are much stronger than those required by the species of Figures 1-3. The grenade or other explosive missile 44 is provided with the usual safety pin 45 which must be removed to initiate the fuse. This is accomplished by securing the eye of the safety pin 45 to the underside of the lid 35 by means of an eye screw 46. If necessary, the opposite end of the grenade 44 is supported by any suitable means such as spring clip 47 which is secured to the underside of the lid 35. In this species, the simulated appendage 48 although it extends through the door 37 into the compartment 38, may or may not be attached to the grenade 44.

In operation, when the "latch 40 is released, spring means 42 flips the lid 35 to the open position, and the momentum attained by the grenade 44 is sufficient to disengage the grenade from the spring clip 47 and thereafter project it leaving the pin 45 still attached to the eye screw 46. With pin 45 thus removed, the usual trigger 49 flies out to ignite the fuse which ultimately explodes the grenade. As the grenade will be thrown but a short distance, any witnesses will be within easy range of the explosion.

While there has been shown and described what are now thought to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of still other forms and expressions. Consequently, the invention is not considered to be limited to the particular species shown and described hereinabove but only as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A missile projector comprising a container including opaque side and end walls and a top wall, a partition depending from said top wall and dividing said container into two compartments, said partition being formed with a restricted opening therethrough, a portion of said top wall above one of said compartments being substantially transparent to expose such compartment to View, the portion of said top Wall above the other compartment being opaque, said opaque portion of said top wall comprising a lid hingedly connected to said container for swinging movement from a closed position through substantially 180 to an open position, spring means operatively connected to said lid and urging the same to said open position, means releasably holding said lid in said closed position, a missile in said compartment of said container which lies below said lid, an appendage on said missile simulating the appendage of a living creature, said appendage having a terminal portion normally extending through said opening in said partition into said compartment below said transparent topwall portion, means readily releasably connecting said missile to said lid inwardly of said last named compartment, and said last named means being formed to release said missile for aerial flight as said lid reaches said open position.

2. A missile projector according to claim 1, wherein said missile comprises a hand grenade having a safety pin, and said safety pin being secured to said lid to comprise said means releasably securing said missile to said lid.

3. A missile projector comprising a container including opaque side and end walls and a top wall, an opaque partition depending from said top wall and dividing said container into two compartments, said partition being formed with a restricted opening therethrough, the portion of said top wall above one of said compartments being substantially transparent to expose such compartment to view, the portion of said top Wall above the other compartment being opaque, said opaque portion of said top wall comprising, a lid hingedly connected to said container for swinging movement from a closed position through substantially 180 to an open position, spring means operatively connected to said lid and urging the same to said open position, means releasably holding said lid in said closed position, a missile in said compartment of said container which lies below said lid,

means in said container simulating an appendage of a small living creature, said last named means including a terminal portion normally extending through said opening in said partition into said compartment below said transparent top wall portion whereby to create the im pression that said compartment below said lid is occupied by a small living creature, means readily releasably connecting said missile to said lid inwardly of said last named compartment, and said last named means being formed to release said missile for aerial flight as said lid reaches said open position.

4. A missile projector comprising a container including a top wall and opaque side and end walls, an opaque partition depending from said top wall and dividing said container into two compartments, said partition being formed with a restricted opening therethrough, the portion of said top wall above one of said compartments being substantially transparent to expose such compartment to view, the portion of said top wall above the other compartment being opaque, said opaque portion of said top Wall comprising a lid hingedly connected to said container for swinging movement from a closed position to an open position, spring means operatively connected to said lid and urging the same to said open position, means releasably holding said lid in said closed position, a missile in said compartment of said container which lies below said lid, means in said container simulating an appendage of a small living creature, said lastnamed means including a terminal portion extending through said opening in said partition into said compartment below said transparent top wall portion, whereby to create the impression that said compartment below said lid is occupied by a small living creature, means readily releasably connecting said missile to said lid inwardly of said last-named compartment, and said last named means being formed to release said missile for aerial flight as said lid reaches said open position.

5. A missile projector according to claim 4, wherein said missile comprises an explosive including a fuse for detonating the same, ignition means for said fuse, and said ignition means being activated to ignite said fuse by the release of said missile from said lid.

6. A missile projector comprising a generally opaque container including a top wall, at least a portion of said top wall being formed to provide a lid, means mounting said lid for swinging movement from a substantially horizontal closed position through an arc of not more than to an open position, spring means operatively connected to said lid and urging the same to said open position, means releasably holding said lid in said closed position, a second portion of said top Wall being formed to provide a View of that portion of the interior therebelow, opaque means in said container concealing the rest of the interior thereof, means simulating an appendage of a small living creature displayed in said container below said second portion of said top wall, said last named means being operative to create the impression that a small living creature is concealed in said container behind said opaque means, a missile concealed in said container below said lid behind said opague means, means readily releasably connecting said missile to said lid inwardly of said container, and said last named means being formed to release said missile for aerial flight as said lid reaches said open position.

7. A missile projector comprising a generally opaque container including a top wall, at least a portion of said top wall being formed to. provide a lid, means mounting said lid for swinging movement from a closed position to an open position, resilient means attached to said lid and urging the same to said open position, means releasab ly securing said lid in said closed position, a second portion of said top wall being formed with an opening therethrough for viewing an area of the interior of said container therebelow, said container including opaque partition means substantially concealing that portion of said container below said lid, means simulating an appendage of a small living creature displayed in said area, said last named means being operative to create the impression that a small living creature is concealed in that portion of said container below-said lid, a missile in said container below said lid and concealed thereby, means readily releasably connecting said missile to said lid inwardly of said container, and said last named means being formed to release said missile for aerial flight as said lid reaches said open position.

8. A missile projector comprising a generally opaque container including a wall, at least a portion of said wall being formed to provide a closure, means mounting said closure for swinging movement from a closed position to an open position, resilient means attached to said closure and urging the same to said open position, means releasably securing said closure in said closed position, a second portion of said wall being formed with a veiwing opening therethrough to expose a display area of the interior of said container, means simulating an appendage of a living creature displayed in said area, said last named means creating the impression of a living occupant of said container concealed behind said closure, a missile in said container behind said closure and concealed thereby, means readily releasably connecting said missile to said closure inwardly of said container, and said last named means being formed to release said missile for aerial flight as said closure reaches said open position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,532,486 Harrington Apr. 7, 1925 1,936,150 Adams Nov. 21, 1933 2,809,834 Frampton Oct. 15, 1957 UNllED STATES PATENT OFFICE fi'lllfial @F QQRE CTEN Patent N00 2 974 954 March 14 1961 James E, Mari-in r appears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certified that err-o atent should read as ent requiring correction and that the said Letters P corrected below.

Column 3. line 36 after "portion and before the comma insert whereby to creaie the impression that said compartmeni, below said lid is occupied by a small living creature Signed and sealed this 5th day of September 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer I DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTEFECATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No 237M954 March 14E 1961 James Eo Martin It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pateno requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent. should read as "corrected below Column 3 line $6 after "portion" and before the comma insert w whereby to create the impression that said compartment below said lid is occupied by a small living creature SEAL) v Attest:

DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer USCOMM-DC" 

